THEO MAASSEN'S COAT FOR THE HOMELESS

People in crisis have a hard time in the winter. The coat collection campaign 'give a coat and warm a heart' shows the strength of Eindhoven: together we help those who need it. From 7 to 23 October 2019, warm co ats were donated en masse for people who desperately need them. The homeless, people living in poverty, for whom buying a warm winter coat is not a matter of course. Harrowing in our Brainport region where things seem to be going so well, but unfortunately there is also poverty.

We asked cabaret artist, actor and committed Eindhoven resident Theo Maassen to participate in this coat campaign. He immediately said 'yes' and even handed in two of his almost new coats and wrote a card for the new owner. His coats are now being worn by two gentlemen living on the street. All of the more than 1,500 (!) men's, women's and children's coats that Samen voor Eindhoven collected via Eindhoven organisations went on 24 October to people who come to Kledingbank Eindhoven, Leger des Heils, Ervaring die Staat, Inloohuis 't Hemeltje, Neos and Dress for Success. And in just about every coat pocket there is a handwritten card for its new owner.

Photography: Mary van den Boogaard

Heel Eindhoven winterproof
Not only Theo Maassen, but also PSV and alderman Renate Richters donated very warm jackets. Mark (of the Ervaring die Staat foundation) was one of the very happy recipients of a PSV (players) jacket. The other two PSV jackets went to homeless fans through Diaconal centre of refuge 't Hemeltje in Woensel, where homeless people can go during the day for a cup of coffee, soup, possibly a hot shower and dry, clean clothes.

In the Eindhovens Dagblad: